Drogheda Independent

Hospice Homecare does so much for those who need help

- BY ANN MCVEIGH

DROGHEDA Hospice Homecare Foundation was formed in 1994 to provide a confidenti­al service to help cancer patients from Drogheda and environs access transporta­tion to and from hospital treatments and appointmen­ts and to provide general support for them during their illness.

Under the guidance of Carmel Freeman and Sr. Therese Kilkenny a committee was formed and has grown from strength to strength.

The organisati­on is totally volunteer lead and all our drivers give their time to bring our many patients to and from hospital both locally in Our Lady of Lourdes and to the centres of excellence in Dublin. We greatly value our drivers who are very generous with their time and who find their volunteer work very rewarding. We have a catchment area of Drogheda and environs as far as Clogherhea­d, Dunleer and to the Meath border on the Dublin Road. We have a volunteer committee who co-ordinate our patients travel arrangemen­ts, organise specialist equipment, help organise home help where required and fundraise to support these services. Our overall vision is the building of a hospice to cater for the needs of the north east.

We receive no funding from government level and so all funds are raised locally by volunteers who, with committee members, arrange various fundraiser­s on our behalf.

We rely entirely on the generosity of people to keep providing services for our many patients. All monies raised are used locally for patient transport services, homecare aids and other support services.

Without the generosity of local people we would be unable to continue to offer these services. We always need volunteers to help with our coffee morning, walk/run the mini marathon and sell on our Sunflower days which will be coming up in June of this year.

If anyone feels that they may be able to help by joining our committee, volunteeri­ng as a driver, helping with our Sunflower days or organising a fundraisin­g event on our behalf please contact Ann on 086-3264825 or email droghedaho­spicehomec­are@gmail.com

For anyone who feels that we may be of assistance to them with regard to a cancer diagnosis please contact our driver co-ordinators on 086-2225423 and we will be happy to help in any way we can.

 ??  ?? Volunteer driver Margaret Murphy with her husband John opened their house in Anneville Crescent at the end of last year to host a coffee day and raffle. This was a wonderful day attended by many friends and family members and €1865 was raised. Pictured...
Volunteer driver Margaret Murphy with her husband John opened their house in Anneville Crescent at the end of last year to host a coffee day and raffle. This was a wonderful day attended by many friends and family members and €1865 was raised. Pictured...
 ??  ?? Nuala and Aidan Sharkey at A Night at the RNLI Oskars Night at The TLT Concert Hall
Nuala and Aidan Sharkey at A Night at the RNLI Oskars Night at The TLT Concert Hall

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